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3 Million 360s In 3 Months?

Posted by Zonk on from the that's-a-lot-of-neon-green dept.

Microsoft is apparently hoping to sell 3 million of its next-gen console in its first three months of life, reports ZDNet. From the article: "'We think through the first 90 days of launch...we expect to have sold 2.75 (million) to 3 million consoles worldwide,' said Bryan Lee, chief financial officer of Microsoft's Home and Entertainment unit. Lee's comments came as part of a speech at the Harris Nesbitt Media & Entertainment Conference in New York. Lee said the prediction should translate to about $1.5 billion in sales of Xbox devices, games and accessories during that period."

10 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. Magical production process by Datamonstar · · Score: 2, Interesting

    IANAB(businessman) But...
    If they can magically produce 3 million in three months, then why not go ahead and delay the release a week or two and not have a shortage, since they're so guaranteed to sell so many?

    --
    The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
    1. Re:Magical production process by ivan256 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Because business analysts pull this stuff out of their asses. That and in any company, marketing, business development, engineering, and manufacturing are locked in an eternal struggle in which there always has to be at least one loser.

    2. Re:Magical production process by interiot · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The shortage thing is still potentially rumor. And this particular piece could be evidence against that rumor, and not necessarily facts that exist alongside it.

    3. Re:Magical production process by richie2000 · · Score: 4, Funny
      Because they say they will SELL 3 million consoles, they have not said anything about DELIVERING them. Like the poor Windows Defender guy, you assume that you are dealing with an honest vendor of good repute and fail to realize you're talking about Microsoft. They will happily take your money and only if you're really, really lucky, they'll spare the time to bend you over for a quickie.

      In fact, that's the main difference between Microsoft and a pick-pocket; the pick-pocket will bump into you when he steals your wallet, giving you a bit of human touch.

      --
      Money for nothing, pix for free
    4. Re:Magical production process by gabebear · · Score: 2

      "you might want the $100 20GB memory card instead of the $40 64MB memory card."

      True, true... although both are ridiculously expensive, which was the point I was tryng to make.
      But, again, I think the Revolution is going to be the best in this area with 512MB of flash standard and SD slots.

  2. $1.5 billion? Wishful thinking... by ivan256 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So let's say that they sell their 2.75 million Xboxes. For that to be $1.5billion in revenue, they all have to be the $399 version and also have to sell $146 in games and accessories per buyer. Alternatively, the people buying the $299 version have to spend $246 on extras and games on average. They're really counting on an unnaturally high attach rate to get these numbers. Either they're doing something shady to guarantee the numbers come out like that (like counting units shipped to retailers as "sold"), or they're not going to hit $1.5billion on that few consoles.

    1. Re:$1.5 billion? Wishful thinking... by thebdj · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Hmmm...$50-$60 a game + $25-$40 for an extra controller + $25-$35 for memory card if you don't get the HDD = $100 - $135. Of course you can multiply that game number by two or three at least since it is coming out in time for X-Mas (oh dear me, I can see the bad X related promos now) so many people will be getting games at launch and for the holidays. Seriously, if you plan on playing this thing pretty hard you are going to want more then one game at launch anyway.

      I think you underestimate what people are going to be willing to spend. I would imagine many people will pick up the cheaper one thinking they will buy an extra game instead. This is especially true of people who do not mind extra consoles and can keep around their X-Box for their old games and saves and whatever else...

      --
      "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb."
    2. Re:$1.5 billion? Wishful thinking... by Andy_R · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It looks more realistic if you are factoring in the higher prices in other countries. Including tax, British gamers are being asked to pay $366.14 for the cheap and $488.12 for the expensive version and games are $87.15 each (at today's exchange rates).

      --
      A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
  3. buried alive? by Colourspace · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Microsoft plans to launch the console in the California desert" And if it goes anything like Atari's E.T. launch they'll also be burying it there later..

  4. What a shame... by St.+Arbirix · · Score: 2, Funny

    If that many people bought $500 worth of Mac instead... imagine the net gain in world peace? /zealot

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    Direct away from face when opening.